WOW, thank you one and all for such a wonderful response to my inquiry as to why this highly effective anti-virus program runs so slow on my machine. I sincerely thank every one of you.
In answer to the replies I recieved:
1) Yes, I did make a mistake in identifying my version of Avast. It IS version 4.1.418. The virus definition file is 0426-0. And the compilation date is 22.06.2004.
2) Yes, I agree that running Windows XP Pro on a PIII-730 is right at the very lowest end of computer power for running XP. On the other hand, (other than the slow performance when the antivirus software is active), I haven't noticed any problems. The computer (so the Dell sticker says), was designed for Windows 2000 / Windows NT-4 / Windows 98. (By the way Kobra, the box was built in April of 2000, I bought it surplus from a local company for $50.00 last month.)
3) Yes too, to having Avast set on the most aggressive settings. I understand what you mean. Which ones can I safely turn off ?
4) The task bar is FULL of icons that plant themselves on the quick launch bar whether I want them there or not. Are you saying that Avast will run faster if I delete the majority of them ? OK, I can handle that. Of course, when I do a CTRL-ALT-DEL and look under the PROCESSES tab, there are 44 different processes running. Here again, which ones are safe to shut off to free up more of the 256MB of RAM ?
5) In terms of available resources, (right now), I'm showing 46.46MB of Available System Memory / 1.97 GB of Available Virtual Memory / 424.91 MB of Page File Space.
6) I fully agree about the SpyWare drags. I do have SpyBot's latest version (1.3) installed and it is doing a fantastic job.
I hope that I have intelligently answered all the questions that were posted in response to my initial inquiry. Honestly, I've truly been impressed with Avast Anti-Virus. I just wish I could figure out why it appears to be slowing down my system so radically. I do notice a substantial speed difference with it turned off.
Thank you all once again for helping me.
Joe Ashe